Correct headache diagnosis improves treatment

Got a headache? You're not alone. According to the National Headache Foundation, over 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches.

There are many different types of headaches. Tension headaches, migraines, sinus headaches, cluster headaches — these are just a few of the most common. In order to establish an effective treatment, the type of headache you suffer from must be correctly diagnosed.

Most of us have had a tension headache at some point in our lives, if not on a regular basis.

Tension headaches are often caused by stress and can occur every once in a while, or every day, depending on the individual. They can affect the very young or the very old. Tension headaches can be caused by any number of factors, so oftentimes it is difficult to really pin-point their cause.

In some people, a tension headache can be caused by muscle strain from bad posture or straining your back, neck or eyes. But in others, there is no physical cause at all. It is, rather, a physical manifestation of emotional or environmental stress.

Symptoms of tension headaches vary as well, but they are often characterized by constant pain or pressure that may last just a little while, or continue all day. These symptoms can usually be eased by over-the-counter medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Migraine and cluster headaches can both be a very serious problem.

Though men, women and children can all suffer from migraines, they are most common in women.

Migraines are moderate to severe headaches that are usually described as throbbing or pounding headaches. Sensitivity to noise, light, or odors may be present, as well as nausea, dizziness, or blurred vision.

The exact cause of migraines is unknown. Sometimes the condition is hereditary, or it can be hormone-related, or even due to changes in the weather. Whatever the cause, the condition is painful and can greatly affect quality of life. Some migraines may respond to over-the-counter treatments, but often a doctor's prescription is required.

Cluster headaches are less common than migraines, and usually occur in men. Cluster headache attacks usually center around the eyes or temples and the pain is described as intense and stabbing, and can even be debilitating.

Cluster headaches may be random or cyclical and their cause is still unknown. Treatment can involve medication prescribed by a physician to both prevent and treat the headaches. However, cluster headaches can reappear even after months or years of remission.

Many people suffer from sinus headaches — the pain that occurs as a sign of a sinus infection or inflammation due to a cold or allergies. Sinus headaches often occur with other symptoms as well; fever, stuffy nose, ear pain, or sore throat.

During a cold or allergy attack, our sinuses can become blocked, not permitting them to drain properly and thus providing a breeding ground for infection. In some cases, people's sinuses may be permanently hindered or blocked from a deviated septum or other abnormality. In those cases, surgery may be an option to correct the issue.

Recently, however, researchers have discovered that many people may be falsely identifying their symptoms as a sinus headache when in reality they are suffering from a different type of headache.

If your headache does not occur with any of the other sinus symptoms, then it may be a tension or migraine headache instead.

If you have chronic or intense headaches of any kind that do not respond to over-the-counter remedies, the best course of action is to talk to your physician.

Be sure to describe all of your symptoms so that he or she can provide an accurate diagnosis, or get your to a specialist who can.

Your physician may also recommend diagnostic tests, such as a CAT scan to get a better idea of what's going on inside your head.